The Forbidden Experience

Warning: This is not to discriminate or point out something, I just want you to be vigilant while you think it is too safe out there in general.

I went out yesterday (10/22/1987), My birthday, to go to church to spend some time with God and pray. Actually, this was the first time I went out alone and ride a taxi. I felt really different at that day when I woke up that’s why I wanted to meditate and pray and I even posted it on facebook that “I felt like I was a stranger in my Life”.

Well, when I arrived at Ruwi Roundabout to ride a taxi on my way to Oman Oil(where Christian churches are located), I saw a taxi and I suddenly signaled to get in. I told him: “Oman Oil”, he said: “ok”. I was already inside the taxi and take note, I took the front seat and I am all alone. At first, I didn’t actually mind being alone and I was so blunt to feel the atmosphere inside. Suddenly, the driver asked me if I was a Filipino, I told him instead of saying YES, I told him I’m Chinese. I am mixed with Chinese blood so, that’s it. This is where the thrilling part of the story starts. He(taxi driver), out of nowhere, said: “ I want you”. I was shocked and my feet were trembling. I told him a BIG NO, of course. He said: “ Don’t be afraid”. I told him, “I am not. It is just that I am not like that and I’m not what you think I am”. He touched my hair which gives me goosebumps and I am starting to get irritated. I told the driver to stop the taxi and that I wanted to pull-over and I even gave him the money(fare). He insisted not to because I still didn’t reach my destination and he doesn’t want my money either. I thanked him. Right ahead of us,a local signaled to ride with us and I was glad because he did. Everything was so quiet inside the car and I wanted to get out at that moment but my feet aren’t moving as well. When I reached my destination, I pulled-over and got out of the car. He didn’t go. He was waiting for my fare, he asked for it so, I gave the money right away with no further rebuttles even if he insisted at the first place that he doesn’t need my money. He was angry and what’s worst was he said this line: “YOU WANT O**** BANANA? YOU WANT O**** SAMBUL?  The latter pertains to the word “PENIS” in English.

Do you know how rude that was? It felt like someone just slapped me with a baseball bat on my face. That was so rude and I was so insulted. It felt like someone punched a hole inside my chest, like a bullet just hit me in the chest. I mean, I was already oriented at the event that there will be people who are like that here. Of course, rude people and rudeness is always there wherever you will go. You just have to accept it and flick it (a statement that was said by my Aunt). I know, It’s just I didn’t see it coming and I was caught off guard. I wasn’t prepared at the incident it happened.  Seriously, am I hearing that on the day of my birthday??(A question I hurriedly thought of) They’ve got to be kidding me. I was petrified and I was shaking a little bit but I handled it very well. It is so hard that you get to encounter people who are like that. I mean, I’m not saying all of them are like that, there are still kind people here who showed so much respect to expats especially Filipinos but for every 10% of the population, I guess there will always be at least 2% who are rude. You know, it goes to everybody as  the saying goes: RESPECT BEGETS RESPECT. No matter what they are, who they are, where they come from, regardless of race, religion, nationality and creed, one should respect the otherJ

Moral Lesson:

         Don’t ever ride a taxi all by yourself next time even if you are confident enough and It’s for your own safety and protection as well.

Buena note!

eric